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Massage During Pregnancy – Yes or No?

Is Pregnancy Massage For You?

Impending motherhood is a very exciting and special time with so much to look forward to. For some mothers-to-be it can also be a time of anxiety, sickness and discomfort. Many women suffer with morning sickness, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, cramps, swelling and muscular discomforts. Then there’s the hormonal changes, cravings and needing to go to the bathroom a hundred times a day!

Not painting a pretty picture am I? Don’t worry, there are many ways relief and help can be found with a growing number of Women’s Health Professionals in Australia. 

Here at Knox Chiropractic & Wellness, we help our pregnant mothers by offering Chiropractic care and/or Pregnancy Massage. 

Massage during pregnancy is a fabulous way to ease any emotional and physical strain you may be feeling at any stage of your pregnancy.

Recent research shows that massage during pregnancy is effective in easing anxiety, depression and muscular pain:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2870995/

 

What Can Massage Do For Me During Pregnancy?

Massage during pregnancy has many benefits for you and your growing baby.

• Relaxation of any nervous tension built up in your body. This helps to calm you and relieve any anxiety or stress. This reduction in stress allows you sleep more easily and more deeply.
• Improves circulation and helps to eliminate waste products via the lymphatic system. Your body is better able to combat fatigue with increased levels of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This also helps to stabilise your blood pressure.
• Common muscular discomforts such as hip, lower back pain, leg cramps, headaches and muscle tension can be relieved.
• Relief from oedema (swelling) common in hands, ankles and feet.
• Allows you to have time to rest and recharge.

 

Is Pregnancy Massage Safe For Everyone?

In most cases, pregnancy massage can be safely performed from day 1 right up to and including delivery. However, there are numerous conditions which classify a pregnancy as ‘high-risk’ in which massage should only be performed after getting medical clearance from your doctor.

• Diabetes – Type 1 & 2 and gestational diabetes
• Chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension
• Pre-eclampsia
• Previous miscarriage
• Bleeding during pregnancy
• Placenta Previa
• Heart and kidney conditions
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), thrombophlebitis and varicose veins
• Asthma
• Hyperemesis Gravidarum (severe nausea)
• Multiple births (twins)
• Severe swelling
• Sudden severe onset headaches

If you are unsure whether a pregnancy massage is suitable for you, please speak to your GP or obstetrician prior to booking.

Considerations When Choosing A Therapist

The safety of you and your baby is vitally important. Don’t assume that everyone who advertises that they perform Pregnancy Massage has had adequate training to do so. Make sure you choose a therapist who has undergone pregnancy specific training

Our Remedial Therapist Leanne has undergone further training with Pregnancy Massage Australia (PMA) and obtained her Certificate in Pregnancy Massage.

To find out why choosing the right therapist is important, head over to: 

https://www.knoxchiropractic.com.au/pregnancy-massage-positioning-important/

 

 

Call us or book online today and know that you and your baby are in safe hands at Knox Chiropractic & Wellness!